Roncalli Millbank Football Preview

September 05, 2008

Milbank Bulldogs at Aberdeen Roncalli Cavaliers What and Where: Aberdeen Roncalli vs. Milbank in a Northeast Conference Football game at Swisher Field. The game is part of the annual Hub City Bowl. Aberdeen Central squares off against Brandon Valley in the second game. When: 5 p.m. tonight. Records: Milbank is 1-0 on the season following a 26-14 victory over Redfield last week. This game marks the season opener for Aberdeen Roncalli. Last Meeting: Milbank defeated Roncalli 20-14 in a game played at Milbank. It was Roncalli's only loss of the regular season. Coaches: Jeremy Tostenson is the head coach at Milbank. Aberdeen Roncalli is led by Terry Dosch. Roncalli's Offense: The Cavaliers return just two starters on offense from a year ago. “We are a little short on experience,” Dosch said. “We do feel like we have some kids that are fairly athletic.” Roncalli will feature three sophomores in the backfield in Christian Cox, Andrew Holmstrom and Brendon Hoellein. “You never know exactly how they're going to react in that situation,” Dosch said. While the Cavaliers are smaller than in the past, they do bring another element to the table. “We're not so big up front, but I think we're a little more athletic than we were last year up there,” Dosch said of his line. “I'm kind of excited to see how this group of kids comes together.” Milbank's Offense: Milbank was able to move the ball on the ground and through the air in last week's win over Redfield. “Hopefully, this year we can be a little more balanced,” Tostenson said. The Bulldogs feature the speed the Andrew Leddy and Austin Dilts along with the power of Colin Porath in the backfield. Last week, quarterback Kyle Kunde was able to connect on some long balls as well. “He showed some real good things,” Tostenson said of Kunde. “When you're running the football effectively, it kind of opens things up a little bit.” Roncalli's Defense: Roncalli has five starters back on defense, most of which can be found on the interior line or the secondary. “I think our secondary is probably our most experienced group,” Dosch said. “While we don't match up maybe sprint speed with Milbank, I think we can run a little bit.” The Cavaliers have a new defensive coordinator this year as Justin Briese has replaced Tim Beck. “He's work enough alongside coach Beck. He's got a very solid football background,” Dosch said. “We're going to try to get after people as much as we can and make plays.” Milbank's Defense: The Bulldogs do not have the overall size they have featured in the past, but they do have a force that helps to bring traffic to a halt in 6-foot 3-inch, 285-pound nose tackle Bill St. Martin. “It's been a while since we've had a big guy,” Tostenson said. Last week Milbank's line set the tone and “our linebackers were able to come in and fill.” The secondary is filled with plenty of speed, powered by Leddy who packs a punch. “He's just a gamer,” Tostenson said. “I haven't coached a kid as competitive as he is. He's just a light switch.” Dosch on the Bulldogs: “Milbank has a solid tradition over there. Jeremy does a great job with them. He's one of the outstanding young coaches in the area,” Dosch said. Dosch is concerned with the breakaway speed of Austin Dilts and Andrew Leddy. “They can run with anybody. We'll have to try to contain them. We have to make sure that we don't take a nap in the secondary. They like to throw the long ball.” Tostenson on the Cavaliers: “They're very similar to a lot of teams in the conference,” Tostenson said, noting that many squads lost key members to graduation. “They've still got the (Logan) Wherry kid. He's a very good football player.” While Milbank has one game under its belt, there are more questions than answers when it comes to Roncalli, which has yet to play. “We don't have any idea what Roncalli is going to do, especially defensively. We're kind of a little bit blind going into the game.” Milbank and Roncalli have locked up in some memorable battles through the years. “The crazy thing is, it always comes down to some key special teams plays,” Tostenson said. “The kicking game somewhere has kind of been the difference in the games.” Roncalli's Keys to the Game: The Cavaliers have lots of new faces in key places so first-game jitters may play a role. “Again, that kind of comes down to the tried and true, control the line of scrimmage and execute,” Dosch said. “Part of execution might be not being nervous about that first trip out. I think if we can do a good job up front, that we'll be in pretty good shape, because I think we have some kids that are playmakers.” Dosch said in his 24 years at Roncalli that Milbank has always been a quality foe. “Milbank is one of the teams that has consistently been in the upper echelon of the conference. They've never really had bad teams. We've developed a nice rivalry over the years. It's usually a pretty good game.” Milbank's Keys to the Game: “I think it just comes down to being physical,” Tostenson said. “That's kind of the difference a lot of the time, how physical you can be.” Along with that comes execution. “I know coach Dosch talks about that all the time,” Tostenson said. Traditionally this contest comes down to one or two key plays and traditionally, this contest goes a long way in determining the eventual Northeast Conference champion. “It's just a big, competitive game,” Tostenson said, “there's no doubt about it.” Game Notes: These two teams shared the Northeast Conference championship last season. Both teams finished with one conference setback. ... This is Milbank's second straight road contest to start the season. The Bulldogs now have four of their last six at home, including next week's home opener against Groton. ... Roncalli is currently tied for third in this week's Class 11B poll. ... Roncalli has never lost an NEC game on the artificial turf of Swisher Field. Starting Lineups Milbank OFFENSe Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Chance Snyder ;6-1 165 Jr. OT Jeff Trapp ;6-0 205 Jr. OG Dillon Dwyer ;6-1 205 Jr. OC Brian Roehrich ;6-0 215 Sr. OG Steve Hicks ;6-0 185 Sr. OT Isaac Robinson ;6-3 195 Sr. WR Lance Junso ;5-10 175 Sr. QB Kyle Kunde ;6-4 180 Jr. RB Austin Dilts ;5-10 170 Sr. RB Colin Porath ;5-11 170 So. RB Andrew Leddy ;5-10 170 Sr. DEFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. DE Brian Roehrich ;6-0 215 Sr. NT Bill St. Martin ;6-3 285 Jr. DE Isaac Robinson ;6-3 195 Sr. LB Austin Dilts ;5-10 170 Sr. LB Jeff Trapp ;6-0 205 Jr. LB Dillon Dwyer ;6-1 205 Jr. LB Steve Hicks ;6-0 185 Sr. CB Lance Junso ;5-10 175 Sr. CB Chance Snyder ;6-1 165 Jr. S Mike Robinson ;6-2 170 So. S Andrew Leddy ;5-10 170 Sr. Aberdeen Roncalli OFFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. TE Logan Wherry ;6-3 195 Sr. OT Charlie Drapeaux ;6-1 195 Jr. OG Brett Smid ;6-3 210 Jr. OC Tyler Hilzendeger ;6-0 255 Sr. OG Brandon Johnson ;6-3 210 Jr. OT Jon Gobczynski ;6-0 180 Sr. SE Michael Gjernes ;5-10 160 Sr. QB Christian Cox ;6-0 160 So. FB Jon Horner ;5-7 185 Jr. WB Brendon Hoellein ;6-0 190 So. WB Andrew Holmstrom ;6-1 170 So. DEFENSE Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. DE Logan Wherry ;6-3 195 Sr. DT Tyler Hilzendeger ;6-0 255 Sr. DT Jon Horner ;5-7 185 Jr. DE Charlie Drapeaux ;6-1 195 Jr. LB Brett Smid ;6-3 210 Jr. LB Brandon Johnson ;6-3 210 Jr. LB Brendon Hoellein ;6-0 190 So. CB Michael Gjernes ;5-10 160 Sr. CB JD Carrels ;5-10 160 Sr. S Sam Pfeiffer ;6-0 165 Jr. S Zach Rohlfs ;6-1 175 Jr. Radio Broadcast: The football game will be broadcast on Pheasant Country FM 103.7.